In April, Seth gave his wife, Hazel, $4000 for household expenditure. Hazel spent 50% of the sum on rental, 20% on food and saved the rest. In May, Seth reduced the sum he gave to Hazel. Hazel spent the same amount on rental and reduced the amount she spent on food by 20%. She saved the remaining 20% of the sum given to her in May. By what percentage was the sum given to Hazel reduced by?

	Rental	Food	Savings	Total
Before	50%	20%	30%	$4000
Change		- 4%	- ?	- ?
After	50%	16%
Comparing the amounts spent in May	80 u		20 u	100 u

Amount that Seth saved in percent
= 100% - 50% - 20%
= 30%

Amount that Seth reduced on food in percent
= 20% x 20%
= ²⁰₁₀₀ x 20
= 4%

Total amount that Seth spent on rental and food in percent
= 50% + 16%
= 66%

100% → 4000

1% → 4000 ÷ 100 = 40

66% → 66 x  40 = 2640

The total amount that Seth spent on rental and food is repeated. 

80 u = 66% 

80 u = 2640

1 u = 2640 ÷ 80 = 33

Amount that Seth gave to Hazel in May
= 100 u
= 100 x 33
= $3300

Amount that Hazel received less from Seth from April to May
= 4000 - 3300
= $700

Percentage that the sum given to Hazel was reduced by from April to May
= ⁷⁰⁰₄₀₀₀ x 100%
= 17.5%

Answer(s): 17.5%